Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel is urging people to pay back the kindness Tonga showed the city after the earthquakes by donating funds to help the country recover from the tsunami.
After the Christchurch quakes, Tonga raised $705,000 for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund through a radio-thon, Dalziel said.
Lianne Dalziel. Photo: Supplied
"The people of Tonga gave generously to support us in our time of need.
"Now we have an opportunity to help them out in their time of need and I really hope that Christchurch residents will give generously.
"The best way to do that is by donating to the Red Cross through their website."
Dalziel said Christchurch City Council has collection boxes at Tūranga and its main suburban libraries where people can donate cash.
"All the money collected will go the Red Cross," she said.
"Please give whatever you can to support the people in Tonga as they work to recover from this devastating natural disaster.
"We don’t yet know the full extent of the damage in Tonga but it is clear there is a long road ahead."
